Quality Development and Evaluation Officer (f_m_x)

The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformation processes towards sustainability in Germany and abroad. The institute was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences under its new name since the 1^st of January 2023 and is thus part of the Helmholtz Association.

To support our Science Management Unit, the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) is currently seeking a

Quality Development and Evaluation Officer (f_m_x)

Reference Number 9892

The successful candidate will be assigned tasks related to the evaluation of RIFS by the Helmholtz Association and within internal evaluation procedures. In addition, he/she will support the management and scientists of RIFS in the implementation and further development of mechanisms for the evaluation of transdisciplinary research. The adoption and application of suitable evaluation procedures for transdisciplinary research will also likely be incorporated into the research and transfer evaluation of other institutions of the Helmholtz Association in the future. The Quality Development and Evaluation Officer will actively and independently contribute to the development of evaluation criteria that are tailored to the Institute’s transdisciplinary approach.

We are looking for a candidate willing to embrace the challenge of treading new ground in science and pioneering approaches in the impact evaluation of research for sustainable societies. 

Your responsibilities:

• Further development of indicators, criteria, and procedures for the evaluation of transdisciplinary research
• Development and implementation of quality assurance concepts and instruments
• Preparation and monitoring of evaluations and audits; e.g., evaluations of the Helmholtz Association or in compliance with reporting requirements
• Position the RIFS within the transdisciplinary research community and its networks, both within and beyond the Helmholtz Association
• Planning and implementation of workshops with central actors from the network
• Develop a concept for the management of research data generated by the RIFS in cooperation with the GFZ
• Updating, further development and monitoring of the Institute’s publication strategy
• Work closely with the Strategic Science Management team at the RIFS and take on other science management duties as appropriate
• Support the optimisation processes of relevance to the Institute’s science strategy

Your qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years professional experience in a relevant field 
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality assurance tools and methods used in research institutions and/or universities
• Experience in the field of transdisciplinary research, consulting and policy advice
• Extensive knowledge of German and European science systems
• Affinity for empirical data collection and processing
• Basic understanding of database systems
• Aptitude for conceptual and strategic thinking
• Strong communication skills, assertive character, careful and well-organized approach to tackling tasks
• Willingness to join a team effort

What we offer:

• A position with challenging and diverse responsibilities in a dynamic and international research environment with plenty of freedom to contribute your own ideas and skills
• The opportunity to work on current social issues in an interdisciplinary environment
• Contact with national and international research institutions and organizations 
• A work culture based on sustainability, transparency and personal responsibility
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Public service benefits, including a public transportation discount (Job Ticket)
• Extensive training opportunities
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• A workplace on the RIFS campus at Helmholtzstrasse 5 in Potsdam, with good public transport connections

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 1 year (as part of a maternity and parental leave replacement, with the option to extend)
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam

Have we piqued your interest?

Apply

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The RIFS actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.
In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Wera Wojtkiewicz either via email at wera [dot] wojtkiewicz [at] rifs-potsdam [dot] de (wera[dot]wojtkiewicz[at]rifs-potsdam[dot]de) or phone +49 (0)331-6264-27704. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

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